A MUSICAL CASTLE
We’d checked the distance and the castle seemed achievable from our hotel. Well, Lorraine thought she could walk it, though I had my doubts if she’d survive the climb. Along the flats in the middle of town it was easy but then there came the hill and a statue of Carlo Michelstaedter, a radical Italian philosopher of Jewish extraction whose one and only work was conceived as an undergraduate thesis, but he never saw it in print because he committed suicide in 1910, aged 23.
We troll past a shop with exotic foodstuffs and can’t help but notice some bottled Buderim ginger featured in the window. Just below it was another sign on some wrapped lollies “senza zucchero zenzero AUSTRALIA”, which meant I could buy my sugar free dried ginger right here. It’s a small world.
It was slow and overly warm getting up from there but we took it easy and Castello di Gorizia came into view. Dating back to the 11th century it’s clearly the highest point for miles around.
The chapel-sized Church of Santo Spirito seems like a ticket office on the way to the main attraction. In a park on the opposite side of the road there’s a bust of Gabrielle D’Annunzio, a famous and prolific Italian writer and WWI hero who was hugely influential in the Fascist movement, inspiring Mussolini. He was noted for self-promotion.
From the 11th century Gorizia was an independent county until Austria took over in 1500 and it became a major cultural centre. It was only after the fallout from WWI, when it suffered badly, that it came to be in Italian hands. This once castle-of-the-counts has now been done up as a tourist attraction but it holds a surprise, at least for those of us who hadn’t done their homework properly.
The solid walls are much covered in plant life these days and the parapets are quite impressive from below and when you enter through the gateways the cobblestone walkways add an air of authenticity as you climb their steep angle. Only the base is original though. It went through many rebuilds from the 13th to 16th century and was bombed during WWI before being restored for the final time. The restoration is evident in the variance of the colours in the stonework.

Resorts & Hotels with Spas in Province of Gorizia from $94

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Top Cities in Province of Gorizia

If you've gone to Cormons, chances are you're on the wine trail for this is one of Italy's premier regions for the grape. There are many wineries and eateries where you can savour the local produce.

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Dec 12 - Dec 14

Pick from 18 Province of Gorizia Resorts & Hotels with Spas with updated room rates, reviews, and availability. Most hotels are fully refundable.

Lobby

HT Hotel Trieste

Gradisca d'Isonzo

United States

William

$112 nightly

Dec 12 - Dec 13

Total with taxes and fees

Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; local cuisine

Hotel Europa

Grado

United States

Marjorie

Beach bar

Club Del Sole Tenuta Primero Grado Family Collection

Grado

United States

Lyudmila

$83 nightly

Dec 5 - Dec 6

Total with taxes and fees

Fitness facility

Grand Hotel Astoria

Grado

Canada

Sandra

$126 nightly

Dec 22 - Dec 23

Total with taxes and fees

Sauna, hot tub, steam room, massages

Riva Palace Hotel

Grado

Canada

Daniel

Couples treatment rooms, sauna, hot tub, steam room, Turkish bath

Al Ponte

Gradisca d'Isonzo

United States

Francesca

$137 nightly

Dec 15 - Dec 16

Total with taxes and fees

Beach

Al Vecchio Glicine - Bed & Breakfast

Savogna d'Isonzo

United Kingdom

John

Tasting room

Al pompiere wine and rooms

Capriva del Friuli

Italy

Valentina

$122 nightly

Dec 15 - Dec 16

Total with taxes and fees

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Top Province of Gorizia Hotel Reviews

Le Terrazze

Le Terrazze

10/10 Excellent

"Room was spotless. Great location, 10 minute walk from the station, seafront and local bars and restaurants. Check in was clearly communicated and straightforward. Massive room for the price paid."

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Things to do in Gorizia

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